Friday, March 11, 2011

A new mommy for Lerato

I am happy to bring you the story of Lerato today, from the most recent Oasis Haven newsletter:

"It was a little over a week since we heard the official news, and we were waiting expectantly for the arrival of Lerato’s adoptive mother. It had been a week full of excitement, with lots of speculation from Lerato and the other children about what her new mommy and her new life would be like. The excitement only heightened by the adoption of another little boy that week.

When asked what day it was, clever Lerato exclaimed, “It’s Monday!” “But, Lerato, what day is it?” “It’s Monday,” replied Lerato, slightly annoyed at the obvious ignorance of the inquirer. “But, Lerato, what is happening today?”

Lerato’s eyes lit up and her smile widened, “I get my new mommy today!”

Lerato’s mother brought with her a small suitcase and a doll. When she opened the case she found it stuffed full of little dresses and accessories for her new doll. Mother and daughter enjoyed time getting to know each other as they dressed the doll in one outfit after another. When it came time to leave, Lerato said a quick goodbye to her housemother and jumped into the bus, eager to begin her new life with her new mommy.

Seeing Lerato off, what we know for certain is that children need mothers. They need fathers. They need loving parents dedicated to their well-being. Nothing can take the place of that in a child’s heart. Watching this precious child enter into her family, we now feel a heightened urgency to find family for the other children waiting for a mommy and daddy of their very own. The very best that we can do for every child entrusted to our care is to make sure that they have a family forever."

I can picture that little girl with her new Mommy. Can you? There is much about the world that sends us to our knees, including the devastation in Japan as I write this. But there are also places in the world where little lights still shine in the darkness, reminding us not to give in to despair . . .